§ Mr. G. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the fact that the Norfolk Small Holdings Committee's arrears of rent amounted to £7,000 on the 31st December, 1923; and how does he propose to alleviate the distress amongst the ex-service men who have their holdings under the said Committee?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, the arrears representing about 10 per cent. of the total rent-roll. A large proportion of the arrears at the end of last year was owing by tenants in potato-growing districts in the west of the county, due to the very bad price realised by the potato crop of 1922. Prices for the 1923 crop have been excellent, and should bring about a substantial improvement in the position of these tenants. The Norfolk County Council are showing every consideration to their ex-service tenants, and are assisting' them by reducing rents wherever necessary by extending the period for the repayment of loans and by allowing arrears of tenant-right valuation to be paid by instalments over a period of years.